Buzz
You can connect your PS4 (PlayStation 4) console to either an Android or iPhone using the PlayStation app. This allows you to control your PS4 via your phone and even use it as a second screen if the game supports it. You can also plug a USB drive into the PS4 to play multimedia files or back up essential PS4 data.
Steps
Connect your smartphone with the PlayStation app
Download the PlayStation app for your smartphone.
- You can get the app for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. An iPhone or Android device is required to use the app.
Connect your PS4 and smartphone to the same network.
- Your PS4 can connect via Wi-Fi or Ethernet cable. Both your PS4 and phone must be connected to the same network.
- You can check your PS4’s setup by going to the Settings menu and selecting 'Network'. If your PS4 is connected to the router via Ethernet, just make sure your phone is on the same Wi-Fi network.
Open the Settings menu on your PS4.
- This option is located on the right side of the top menu. Press the Up button on the main PS4 menu to access the top menu.
Select 'PlayStation App Connection Settings'.
- Choose 'Add Device'. A connection code will appear on the screen.
Launch the PlayStation app on your mobile device.
- You do not need to sign in to your PlayStation Network account to access the PS4.
Tap 'Connect to PS4'.
- This option is located at the bottom of the screen.
- Your PS4 will appear on the 'Connect to PS4' screen on the phone with 'Powered On' displayed underneath. If the PlayStation console doesn’t show up, double-check that all devices are connected to the same network. Press the Refresh button to rescan.
Enter the code displayed by PS4.
- This 8-character code will allow your device to connect to the PS4.
Connect to the PS4.
- Once you enter the code, you will automatically connect to the PS4. You can then start controlling the PS4 with your phone.
Enable the PS4 control feature by tapping 'Second Screen'.
- Your device will turn into a controller for navigating the PS4 menu. You cannot use this controller as a gamepad.
- Swipe to move through the menu and tap on the phone screen to select.
Enable the second screen feature (for specific games).
- Some games allow you to use your phone as a second screen. If the game supports this feature, tap on the '2' icon at the top of the virtual PS4 controller on your phone.
Use your phone as the PS4 keyboard.
- Once you tap the keyboard icon, you can use your phone as the PS4 keyboard. This makes typing much easier compared to using the controller.
Turn off your PS4.
- Once you're done playing, you can turn off your PS4 using the PS4 app on your phone. Close the 'Second Screen' feature and tap 'Power'. If your PS4 is set by default to turn off completely or enter Rest Mode, you will be prompted to do so.
Use a USB drive
Format the USB drive to work with PS4.
- You can use a USB drive to play multimedia files or store data. For the PS4 to recognize the drive, it must be formatted to work with the system. Most USB drives are already formatted correctly. Reformatting the USB will erase all existing data on it.
- Right-click the drive on your computer and select 'Format'. Then, choose 'FAT32' or 'exFAT' as the file system.
Create the 'MUSIC', 'MOVIES', and 'PHOTOS' folders on the drive.
- Your PS4 can only read data on the USB drive if it follows this folder structure. These folders must be at the root level of the USB drive.
Transfer the multimedia files you want to view into the appropriate folders.
- Place music in the MUSIC folder, videos in the MOVIES folder, and images in the PHOTOS folder.
Insert the USB drive into your PS4.
- Note: Due to the design of the PS4, it may be difficult, or even impossible, to insert larger USB drives.
Launch the 'Media Player' app to play music and videos.
- You can find the app in the Apps section of the Library.
Select the USB drive to access its contents.
- You will be prompted to choose the drive once you open the Media Player.
Browse for the song or video you wish to play.
- Your content will be organized according to the folders you created earlier.
Play multimedia files.
- Once you've selected a song or video, it will begin playing. You can press the PlayStation button to return to the main PS4 menu while the music continues to play in the background.
Copy saved game data to USB.
- You can use a USB drive to back up your game data.
- Open the Settings menu and select "Application Save Data Management".
- Select "Saved Data in System Storage" to find the saved data you want to back up.
- Press the Options button and select "Copy to USB Storage".
- Choose the file you want to copy and click "Copy".
Copy game videos and screenshots to USB.
- You can use a USB drive to save the videos and screenshots you've recorded from your games.
- Open the Capture Gallery app in the Library.
- Find the content you want to copy to the USB drive.
- Press the Options button and select "Copy to USB Storage".
- Choose the file you want to copy and click "Copy". The file will be copied to the USB drive.
